Women in Design: 1900 - Now

Throughout the twentieth century and into the new millennium, women have successfully navigated the traditionally male-dominated profession of design, working creatively in the fields of furniture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, textiles and interiors as individuals or in collaborative partnerships. Often overcoming prejudice and practical difficulties in their careers, and previously marginalised or disregarded in design history, the significance of these women to key movements from Art Nouveau to Post Modernism and the pluralism of today, is now recognised. Moreover, new discoveries and perspectives continue to enrich the narrative.

This course examines the achievements of women as designers, makers and entrepreneurs across a broad spectrum of decorative art and design objects and interiors from c.1900 to the present, locating this material within its wider social and cultural contexts.  The careers of figures including Margaret Macdonald, Eileen Gray, Charlotte Perriand, Aino Aalto, Florence Knoll, Lucienne Day, Eva Zeisel, Lucie Rie and Elsie de Wolfe are highlighted, as is the work of contemporary women designers such as Hella Jongerius, Patricia Urquiola, and Zaha Hadid.